**OFFICIAL** Mass Effect Thread

[R Nilla]

I've been waiting for this game for a long time, so I figure what better topic to use as my first ever thread?

Reviews on Game Rankings: 93 average.

Gametrailers.com: 9.6 (Video Review)

IGN: 9.4/10

Mass Effect is game that is greater than the sum of its parts. Technical issues abound, but the majority of Mass Effect is so expertly delivered that it can transcend its weaknesses. Applying number ratings to a game like this doesn't do it justice because there is no way you can ignore its technical flaws. Simply put, Mass Effect is a game that must be played. Then it must be played again. Don't pass this one up.

It sounds like there are some unfortunate technical issues (slowdowns, glitches, bad AI, and less than stellar combat and squad controls), but the RPG aspects are strong. Hopefully these issues won't ruin the experience, but judging by the reviews they don't appear to.

Here's a cool TV spot on gametrailers.com

Build a Mako with LEGOs!

 

[Modeps]

I'd love to get it, but this is one of my Christmas wishes... too many other things right now... I can wait a month.

 

[bl4ckfl4g]

Hmm sounds like there are issues. I have heard that if you try to play this as a 3rd person shooter (gow) you will be disappointed. It looks like that but doesn't play like that.

It concerns me that there are so many negative comments about the combat in the game but I'm still getting it tomorrow I think. Bioware has never made a bad game that I'm aware of.

 

[R Nilla]

Originally posted by: bl4ckfl4g
Hmm sounds like there are issues. I have heard that if you try to play this as a 3rd person shooter (gow) you will be disappointed. It looks like that but doesn't play like that.

It concerns me that there are so many negative comments about the combat in the game but I'm still getting it tomorrow I think. Bioware has never made a bad game that I'm aware of.

Yeah I don't know what to make of the technical issues. IGN mentioned frame rate drops, clipping, even the rare occasion of freezing and unrecognized button-presses. I'll still be picking it up tomorrow, but hopefully these issues won't ruin my experience. I also hope that they will be able to fix some of these issues soon in a software update.

As for combat, I'm sure it will be fine as long as you realize what you're getting into. It's an RPG after all, and the bar for combat has never been very high. KotoR didn't have the greatest controls, and also had issues, but was still a solid experience.

 

[Yreka]

Numero Uno in my Gamefly queue. Lets see how much they like me, maybe I will get it before '08

 

[tatteredpotato]

Funny story about this game.

I'm getting all ready to go out and drop $60 on it on Tuesday, but then I check my email on Saturday. I have an email from Lionsgames telling me that my order will be shipping today. I had totally forgotten that I had ordered it when they were selling it for $40 since I had ordered way back in March. I guess I might be able to afford COD4 now

 

[Modeps]

Originally posted by: ObscureCaucasian
Funny story about this game.

I'm getting all ready to go out and drop $60 on it on Tuesday, but then I check my email on Saturday. I have an email from Lionsgames telling me that my order will be shipping today. I had totally forgotten that I had ordered it when they were selling it for $40 since I had ordered way back in March. I guess I might be able to afford COD4 now

You could always buy it again, and send me the copy

 

[bl4ckfl4g]

Originally posted by: ObscureCaucasian
Funny story about this game.

I'm getting all ready to go out and drop $60 on it on Tuesday, but then I check my email on Saturday. I have an email from Lionsgames telling me that my order will be shipping today. I had totally forgotten that I had ordered it when they were selling it for $40 since I had ordered way back in March. I guess I might be able to afford COD4 now

I saw you playing COD4 was that just a rental?

 

[warcrow]

Bioware is SO good at making compelling RPGs, so I'm definitely excited for this one. Should have it some time this week. I'll post some impressions once I get a chance to take a crack at it.

 

[tatteredpotato]

Originally posted by: bl4ckfl4g

Originally posted by: ObscureCaucasian
Funny story about this game.

I'm getting all ready to go out and drop $60 on it on Tuesday, but then I check my email on Saturday. I have an email from Lionsgames telling me that my order will be shipping today. I had totally forgotten that I had ordered it when they were selling it for $40 since I had ordered way back in March. I guess I might be able to afford COD4 now

I saw you playing COD4 was that just a rental?

I was borrowing a copy. I have a buddy that buys TONS of games, yet he never plays any multiplayer, so since hes done w/ campaign I snagged it to use until I actually buy it for myself. Funny part was I was planning on waiting a lot longer to get the game until I actually played it, now I'm hooked.

 

[bl4ckfl4g]

Originally posted by: ObscureCaucasian
I was borrowing a copy. I have a buddy that buys TONS of games, yet he never plays any multiplayer, so since hes done w/ campaign I snagged it to use until I actually buy it for myself. Funny part was I was planning on waiting a lot longer to get the game until I actually played it, now I'm hooked.

Yeah I'm so addicted. It is the only game I've played for the last two weeks. That'll change though cuz of RB and Mass Effect tomorrow. I'm honestly thinking about cancelling my Mass Effect preorder because there's just too much stuff to play.

 

[Yreka]

Originally posted by: Yreka
Numero Uno in my Gamefly queue. Lets see how much they like me, maybe I will get it before '08

Wow, I guess they really like me.. Just got an email that it shipped today..

I should send them an xmas card or something.

 

[deepred98]

I'm debating wether to pick this up or Assasin's Creed this weekend. Leaning towards mass effect right now though from hearing about the repetiveness of Assasin's Creed so hopefully the visual glitches won't overshadow the gameplay experiance.

 

[R Nilla]

Here's a pretty cool teaser TV spot.

 

[Dumac]

Originally posted by: deepred98
I'm debating wether to pick this up or Assasin's Creed this weekend. Leaning towards mass effect right now though from hearing about the repetiveness of Assasin's Creed so hopefully the visual glitches won't overshadow the gameplay experiance.

I vote for Mass Effect, unless you aren't an RPG fan.

 

[adairusmc]

Got my copy at midnight, looking forward to playing it.

 

[Dumac]

Originally posted by: adairusmc
Got my copy at midnight, looking forward to playing it.

My local gamestop didn't do a midnight launch

 

[DangerAardvark]

I'm disappointed to hear about the load times. Load times were the one thing I hated about KOTOR. And they turned Fable from a good game into a mediocre game.

 

[R Nilla]

Today is going to be rough; I'm excited to start playing tonight!

 

[Xavier434]

What is the battle system, leveling system, and skill system supposed to be like for this game? I have seen teasers but I never took the time to hunt down those details. I am particularly curious about the level system. I am not a fan of games like NWN and such where you can't farm XP and stuff. I'm not looking for MMO/Diablo style game play either mind you. I am just hoping for more freedom than that.

 

[tatteredpotato]

I picked this up at midnight and played for about 4 hours before passing out (controller still in hand) and here are my initial impressions.

First off the graphics are beautiful, especially the details in faces and NPCs. The conversations are truly immersing, and for the first time in a game like this I don't find myself skipping over dialogue. When selecting responses, they sum up your response in a few words so you're still interested in what your character is going to say. The story is very good so far, it helps if you have read the prequel novel to get you up to speed on different races and some back story, but it isn't necessary by any means.

Combat is interesting. You have 4 guns, although atm my character is only trained to use two of them. You can still use the guns you are untrained in, but the reticle is so huge that I don't find them useful. So far I have found squad members to be a bit of a nuisance, requiring me to keep and eye on them if I don't want them to die. Maybe I'm just not good enough with controlling them yet, but that remains to be seen.

The camera can be finicky when running over uneven terrain, and when running around the environment at places there can be frame rate issues, but I stopped noticing after the first hour or so. There are also some conversations with especially bad lip syncing, but it's usually good enough to pass.

Leveling up is done in a similar fashion to KOTOR iirc.

I've pointed out a lot of negatives in my summary, but they really are minor nuances. This game is definitely a must have and you will not be disappointed.

 

[SuperjetMatt]

Garrr, what to do what to do.
I am still playing CoD4 MP like crazy.
I want to get Mass Effect today, but Gamefly notified me of shipment yesterday.
I probably won't get it from them until Friday.

 

[Xavier434]

Originally posted by: ObscureCaucasian
I picked this up at midnight and played for about 4 hours before passing out (controller still in hand) and here are my initial impressions.

First off the graphics are beautiful, especially the details in faces and NPCs. The conversations are truly immersing, and for the first time in a game like this I don't find myself skipping over dialogue. When selecting responses, they sum up your response in a few words so you're still interested in what your character is going to say. The story is very good so far, it helps if you have read the prequel novel to get you up to speed on different races and some back story, but it isn't necessary by any means.

Combat is interesting. You have 4 guns, although atm my character is only trained to use two of them. You can still use the guns you are untrained in, but the reticle is so huge that I don't find them useful. So far I have found squad members to be a bit of a nuisance, requiring me to keep and eye on them if I don't want them to die. Maybe I'm just not good enough with controlling them yet, but that remains to be seen.

The camera can be finicky when running over uneven terrain, and when running around the environment at places there can be frame rate issues, but I stopped noticing after the first hour or so. There are also some conversations with especially bad lip syncing, but it's usually good enough to pass.

Leveling up is done in a similar fashion to KOTOR iirc.

I've pointed out a lot of negatives in my summary, but they really are minor nuances. This game is definitely a must have and you will not be disappointed.

In other words, I will not be able to return to an area which I previously killed everything and kill them again? I didn't like KOTOR for that reason alone. Everything else about it was great, but that part always kills the fun for me in an RPG.

 

[purbeast0]

im not talking about this game, but i'm talking more about the industry as a whole ...

it really bothers me now a days that it has become acceptable to leave "problems" in these blockbuster games such as huge framerate dips and tearing.

prior to this generation I can't think of 1 blockbuster game that had tearing in it and I really can't think of one that had major framerate issues as well.

with assassins creed and mass effect having people mention framerate issues in most of the reviews, I just don't understand why this gen it's acceptable.

 

[Xavier434]

Originally posted by: purbeast0
im not talking about this game, but i'm talking more about the industry as a whole ...

it really bothers me now a days that it has become acceptable to leave "problems" in these blockbuster games such as huge framerate dips and tearing.

prior to this generation I can't think of 1 blockbuster game that had tearing in it and I really can't think of one that had major framerate issues as well.

with assassins creed and mass effect having people mention framerate issues in most of the reviews, I just don't understand why this gen it's acceptable.

I completely agree. Why should video games not meet a certain standard that other products need to meet in order to be sold? You don't see places like furniture stores jam packed with broken chairs which will be promised to be fixed 2 months after you buy the chair. The idea of that is completely unacceptable for everyone. Why is it acceptable for software? I know all software has bugs, but the line needs to be drawn somewhere.